Electric clock



v m. s, 1927-.

. 1,617,217 B. NEWTH ET AL ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed Nov. 26, 1925 5 sheefbfsrsheet. 2

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Feb. 8,1927. 1,617,217

B. NEWTH ET AL ELECTRI C CLOCK Filed Nov. 26, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BASIL NEWTH AND OCTAVIA NEVV'IH, OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTI'I WALES, AUSTRALIA.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

. Application filed November 26, 1923, Serial No. 677,048, and in Australia December 18, 1922.

,This invention relates to timepieces in Nvhich the movement is sustained for prolonged periods without attention, as for 1n- .fstance for a year or more, and wherem the mechanism performs the same functions usually performed by spring or weight actuated mechanisms, such as striking the hours on a gong, exhibiting dates, ringing an alarmbell at set times, and the like, by substituting the energy in an electr c battery for that contained in wound springs.

More specifically, this invention relates to timepieces in which the movement is synchronized by a spring-held balance-wheel instead of a swinging pendlum, and which are portable since they keep time in all positions and while being moved and during sustained movement, such for instance as aboard ship.

The object of this invention is to ma1ntain the movement of a lever-proper balance wheel combination, such as characteristic of the common clock, electrically, not by continually electrically rewinding a main spring in the movement but by devices di-- 1 rectly engaged with the lever proper of the clock, the wheel train being retained only to connect the movement of the lever with the minute and hour hand axes.

The setting of the hands. of the clock is effected by manipulating a thumb screw on the central shaft at the back of the clock as usual and the timepiece is provided with the usual fast and slow regulation affecting the spring which holds the balance wheel of the clock.

All adjustments essential with this invention are the set hands and the fast and slow regulation already referred to, both preferably at the back, the former outside and the latter (preferably) underneath an alarm bell 01-. a plain cover, at the back, preferably within the compass of an annular dry cell preferred for the maintenance of a clock of this type on account of saving of space with the compacted movement and close fitting cylindrical case usual, and a switch, under I cover like the regulator, connecting the battery circuit with the clock.

Other adjustments under cover would be such as would be provided in connection with an alarm or other equipment associated with the clock.

Referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating a self-contained electric clock constructed in accordance with this inven tion:

Figure 1 is a full front View of the clock and Figure 2 a front view with the dial and the mechanism normally located behind said dial removed, exposing the front plate of the framework of the movement.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the clock with the alarm bell or other cover removed exposing the adjustments underneath.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 with the battery and the control levers and gearing behind the battery removed, exposing'the rear plate of the framework.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section of the clock with a portion of the mechanism removed.

Figure 6 shows the levers, contacts, magnet and wheel-work of the time-keeping movement between the front and back plates of the framework of the movement. Figure 7 illustrates, looking from the front of the clock, the engagement between the lever proper and the pseudo-escapement wheel of the time movement.

Figure 8 illustrates, looking from behind the clock, the engagement with the lever proper of a secondary lever carrying the magnet armature which maintains the movement, and I Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 illustrating the mechanical and electrical engagements between the lever proper in the clock and the contact spring, involving the.

two secondary levers, one synchronizing the magnet with the lever, the other for the inhibition in this cycle as required.

In all these drawings and all through the description now following the samenumerals indicate the same or "corresponding parts throughout.

The open ended cylinder or case 20 provided to house the whole movement has (Fig. 5) a flange and circular glass 21 resting against this flange, and behind the glass is the usual spacing ring. The dial 22 is fastened either to brackets provided on the framework of the movement located at the rear of said dial or to a ring which is fitted tightly and fastened in the case immediately behind the dial, such as is sometimes provided to carry the framework of the movement instead of fastening the latter, as by means of lugs thereon, directly to the cylinllO der itself. All the structure just mentioned is characteristic of the common one-day spring lever clock. The timepiece also has the usual two legs and pick-up ring except where it is desired to have the cylinder, within which everything is contained, in turn enclosed in some more elaborate casi The framework of the movement consis o specifically of two plates 23, spaced by shouldered posts 2-5, 26. 27, riveted in the front plate (23) and projecting through the back plate (24:) where their ends are engaged by pins or nuts to hold the back platefirmly in position, (Figs. 2, 1 and Five such posts are shown in the drawings of which two (25) are plain, one (26) serves a secondary purpose (Fi s. 6 and 7) hereinafter referred to and two (27, 28) serve also either as supports for or integral parts of, not only the essential time magnet to be hereinafter described, but such other magnet as may be required for an alarm or other provision with which this clock may be equipped.

The cylinder 20 has sufficient depth behind the movement of a clock for inclusion of the dry battery 29, of sufficient capacit preferably the form of an annulus of reetangular cross-section, fitting the cylinder closely and flush withthe back of the clock, (Fig. 5).

The battery29 (Figs 3 and5) has its'negative pole in electrical connection, as per medium of the cylindrical case 20. with the metal work of the movement, and its carbon or positive pole of the form of a metal boss projected on the inner plane face of the annulus.

The space within the annulus 29 affords room for an alarm bell 32 (Fig. 5), or a plain cover, mounted on a hollow pedestal 33 on the plate 2 and when the hell or plain cover are removed, accesscan he had to the adjustments of the clock.

In the movement within'the clock there is provided (Fig. 5) the usual hollow shaft or sleeve '34 which carries the hour hand, wlnch sleeve 1S pro ected through the plate 23 in order that its driving wheel may be locatedon the other side of this plate. The central minute hand shaft 35 extends through the sleeve 34 and within the pedestal 33. through which it projects. and has a milled head 36, as usual in clocks, for the purpose of altering the time by hand.

For the essential twelve to one gearing between the hour and minute hand shafts there is (Figs. 2, 5 and 6), as is usual in clocks, adriving wheel 37 fixed on the hour hand sleeve 3%, which driving wheel meshes with a pinion 38 turning on post 38 projecting from the plate 23, there being also the usual retaining washer and pin. Eittached to and carriedby said pinion is an intermediate wheel 33 which meshes with a pinion 39 fastened on the central minute hand shaft 35.

A tight but yielding engagement is effected (Fig. 5) between the central shaft 35 of the minute hand and the wheel 40. In the present instance this is shown as consisting of two collars made fast on this shaft with the boss of the wheel 40 and a helical spring ll in compression between them. Or, the collar not in contact with the boss of the wheel L0 may be loose,'and a pin in the shaft 35 may bear against this collar to hold the spring 41 in compresssion.

The minute hand shaft 35 is held longitudinally of the clock by the pinion 39 and the friction collar on the farther side of the driving wheel elO, which are both fast on this shaftand bears against the plates 23, 24:.

The wheel i0 meshes (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) with a pinion 43 turning on a post 43 projecting from the plate 24L, this pinion having alfixed to it a wheel 43" meshing with another pinion el l turning on another post 44 on the plate 24. The latter pinion it has atlixed to it another toothed wheel ll" this last meshing with a pinion 45 fixed on the spindle 46 shouldered at its opposite ends to have bearing in holes in the plates 23, 24

in the manner usual in clockwork in general.

On the spindle lG is carried the pseudoescape wheel l? of this invention as hereinafter described in detail. The wheel iO the intern'iediate pinions and wheels (two each), and the pinion constitute the train by which transmission is effected between the magnetically driven pseudo-escapewheel of the minute-hand shaft.

The rim of the pseudo-escape wheel 47 carries a number of laterally projecting pins (Figs 5. 6 and 7) equally spaced apart standing parallel with the axis of the wheel. These pins are engaged by two pallets 48 (Figs. 6 and 7). mounted to rock on studs eiS (Figs. 7. 8 and 9) carried by the lever proper -19 of the clock, which lever is centred on the spindle 50. The irregular contour shown in the drawings is given to the lever 49 partly for clearance and for balance.

These pallets 48 (Fig. 8) are so disposed and shaped as to move in and out between the pins of the wheel 47 as the lever 49 oscillates so that the wheel 47 is never free of bot-h of the pallets at the same time. The pal-- lets 48 are of a size to fit nearly between the pins. The pins of the pseudo-escape wheel 47 are so arranged that, when either of the pallets L8 is between two pins and leaving such position, there is always a pin centrally in the way of the other or entering pallet. The pin. by reason of the inclined. face of the pallet, as the pallet enters between two pins, pushes one of said pins angentially to one side, thereby rotating the pseudo-escape wheel 47 through an an- Ill] gle equal to half the angle between two of the pins, centres. The leaving pallet is at the" same time clearingt-he pins sufliciently to allow the pseudo-escape wheel this motion which brings one of these pins into the path of the latter pallet to be in turn deflected dered and bearing in holes in the plates 23,

24 in the mannerusual in clockwork. It

engages with the balancewheel 51 of this clock in the unusual manner shown, (Figs. 6 and 7), a toothed segment on the lever proper engaging with pins on a boss on the balance wheel spindle 52, arranged similarly to the pins of the ordinary lantern pinion of clockwork. This engagement is provided for the specific purpose of allowing the lever 49 a swing of magnitude varying with the varying swing of the balance Wheel.

The balance wheel 51 (Figs. 6 and 7),

while larger and heavier than the balance 7 wheel usual in the common spring-wound lever clock, functions just as, and only as,

the balance wheel of the ordinary clock. It

7 is carried in the same way ona spindle 52 pointed conically at each end journalled in slow adjustment as the ordinary lever and balance wheel clock. For the usual anchorage for the balance spring there is provided the post 53 projecting from theplate and, for regulation of the timing, the lever 54 (Fig. 3) with which the outside coil ofthis spring is engaged in the usual way.

1 s in the ordinary clock, the balance wheel functions, and 1n this electric clock functions only, to. swing the lever proper 49 isochro- I nously, or as nearly so asinay be, the swing of the balance wheel and lever being maintained, just as in the ordinary clock, by

' impulses periodically communicated to the lever, but not, as in the common clock, by

means of the pallets engaged.

Should the time of oscillation of the lever balance wheel combination 49, 51 be, each Way, one second, and the number of pins in the rim of the pseudo-escape wheel 47 be thirty, the time of revolution of the wheel 47 will be sixty seconds and the spindle of this wheel becomes available, byextending it through an opening in the dial of the clock, for a seconds hand (not shown in the drawings), if required.

In order to magnetically maintain the swing of the lever-balance combination, there are carried fixed on the lever proper 49 two lugs 55, 56 (Figs. 6 and 8) engaging with an arm of a secondary lever 57 pivoted on a spindle 58 shouldered and journalled in holes in the plates 23, 24.

This lever 57 like the lever 49, has an irregular contour as shown, partly for clearance and for balance.

An armature of soft iron 59 suitable for attraction, on occasion, by a double pole electro-magnet 60 is provided. The electro-magnet 60 is mounted in the framework of the movement (either by attachment to, or by having the iron plate to which the cores are riveted an integral part of the post 27 (Figs. 2 and 4hereinbefore referred to). The armature 59 is pivoted (Figs. 6 and 8) in the branches of a fork formed in the secondary lever 57 and from this armature extends a light rod 61 which at its other extremity projects through a hole in either a fixed bracket or in the pillar 26, the purpose of the rod 61 being to keep the armature 59 parallel with the lines of the magnet 60 during the swinging movement of the lever 57 which carries the said armature.

hen the lever proper 49 swings in a direction to cause the lug to engage the lever 57 and cause the lever 57 to carry the armature 59 away from the magnet the other lug 56 moves into such a position relative to the lever 57 as to engage and rock the lever 57 in the'opposite direction on the return swing of the lever proper 49.

hen the armature 59 is attracted by the magnet 60, the lever 57 engaging against the lug 55 on the lever proper 49 effects a re-energization of the swinging lever-balance combination.

When further movement of the magnet lever 57 is inhibited by the armature 59 meeting or approaching as near to the mag net 60 as allowable, the lug 55, being in the corresponding position of the lever proper 49, clear of the end of the lever 57, the lever 49 is free to continue its swing unimpeded.

Projecting laterally from an extension on the lever proper 49, (Figs. 6 and 9) is a lug 62 which stands parallel with the axis of the lever. The purpose of this lug is to synchronize the electric circuit energizing the magnet 60, as follows The lever '63 mounted on a spindle 64 carries a pin which is electrically insulated from said lever, said pin being in light rubbing contact with the specially shaped spring 66 mounted on a bracket 67 which is carried by the plate 24 and is electrically insulated from the latter. An extension on this lever and illl'lllSILlZltQClIPlIlGljQfOFm a fork which -"loos'ely .embraces'the lug 62 on the lever Jproper 49, so that on account of the light friction between the pin 65 and the spring 66 itllld the consequent reluctance of the lever 63 to be moved, the pin presses alternately against the insulated pin 65 or the projection 'on the lever is, according to the direction of motion of'the lever proper 49 moving the lever 63.

For the insulation of the pin (135 this pin is driven tightly into a hole provided in a plug of insulating material suitable for the purpose which is itself tight in a socket provided on the lever 63.

By reason of the contour intentionally given to the insulated contact spring 66, the contact with this spring made by the pin 65 carried on the lever 63 is limited to a certain amplitude of the swing of this lever and of the lever proper of the clock.

Thespring 66 is electrically connected, as indicated (Fig. 6), with one terminal of the electro-magnet 60, the other terminal con necting, by means of the battery switch hereinafter described. with the carbon or positive terminal of the annular battery 29,

so that, as long as there is contact between the lug 62 (which is in electrical contact'with the zinc or negative terminal) and the insulated pin "65, and at the same time contact between the insulated pin Giraud the contact spring-66, the coils of the magnet are energized.

And since the'levers 49 and (S3 oscillate about separate centres, there is also a rulr bing contact between the lug 62 and the pin 65.

The effect of the engagement of the his. 62

on the'lever proper with the lever 63 having proper 49 moving in one direction which corresponds to movement of the armature 59 towards the magnet 60; and secondly the magnet 60 is only energized during a middle interval in the swing of the lever proper 9, instead of for the whole term of the swing.

The lever 68 (Figs. (land 9), mounted on the spindle 69, has a wide fork in which the pin 62 moves so as to be engaged and moved by the arms of said fork when the lever proper 4:9 swings in excess of a certain predetermined amplitude in the direction corresponding to the movement of the armature 59 away from the magnet 60, and, in event of such engagement to he returned to its original position by the return swing of the lever proper 4:9.

' @11 the lever 68-and insulated therefrom another insulated pin 70, mounted similarly to the pin 65 on the lever 63, for the purpose of so engaging the contact'spring 66 when the lever 68 is deflected as to bend the spring 66 out of contact with the pin 65.

By reason of the pressure of the spring 66 on the pin 70 the lever 68 retains its position holding back the spring 66 until the return swing of the lever proper 49' has exceeded a certain predetermined amplitude in the other direction, when the original position of the lever 68 is restored by the lug (52 engaging against the other branch of the fork, and the contact spring 66 is released.

The purpose of the lever (38 is thus to accomplish an inhibition of the energization of the magnet by the contacts effected simultaneously between the lug 62 and the pin 65 and between the pin 65 and the spring 66, whenever the lever proper swings widely in the direction carrying the armature away from the magnet, leaving the contact spring 66 held away from the pin 65 for the interval in which, otherwise, on the return swing of the lever proper, this energization would take place.

And the purpose of this inhibition is to provide that magnetic energization of the lever proper occurs only when the diminishing swing of the lever fails to attain a predetermined minimum amplitude, instead of regularly in the cycle of the lever-balance combination of the clock, both to conserve the battery and to lessen the dependence of the time-keeping of the lever-balance combination of the, to a certain extent, variable out-put of the magnet-battery combination which drives the movement.

The insulating of the pin 70 is to preserve the electrical insulation of the contact spring 66 withwhich said pin is designed to come, on occasion, into engagement, as described.

The spindles 6e, 69 of the lovers 68, 68 are shouldered to have bearing in holes in the plates 23, 24, in the manner usual with clockwork, and the irregular contours of these levers shown in the drawings are for clearance and for balance, as in the ease of the lever proper *l9 and the magnet armature lever hereinbefore described.

For the battery switch hereinbefore referred to interposed between the electromagnet GOand the carbon or positive terminal of the battery 29 referred to there is provided ti and 6) a metal boss 97 electrically insulated on the outer face of the plate 24, that is towards he inner plane face of the battery 29, so located on the plate 2 as to make it possible when the battery 29 in position within the case 20 to have the metal b of the carbon terminal hereinbefore r ferred to immediately opposite this metal facing as well as sufficiently near thereto.

To the boss 97 is connected that terminal of the lever magnet'60 which has to connect with the positive pole of the battery 29.

' Carried by the plate 24 is a post 98 (Fig. 6) on which is mounted a bellcranlr lever 99. One arm of this'lever extends into the space exposed ,byremoving the alarm bell or plain cover hereinbefore referred to within the preferred annular battery, so as to be accessible for adjustment by hand. On theother arm-is carried a contact pin 100, insulated from the rest of the lever 99, for the purpose of engaging and making electric contact, in one position of the lever 99, between the positive terminal of the bat teryand the boss 97 insulated on the plate 24.

The operation of the clock is as follows:

Thelever 99 (Figs. 3 and 6) having been rocked to move the pin 100 thereof between the positive terminal of the battery and the boss 97 thus closing one side of the electrical circuit to the electro-magnet 60, and

the lug 62 of the lever 49 being in contact with the 'pin 65' ofthe lever 63 to close the other side of theelectric circuit to said electro-magnet, the electro-magnet 60 will be energized and the armature 59 carried by the lever 57 will be attracted by the electromagnet, thus rocking the lever 57. The arm of the lever 57 which extends between the lugs 55 and 56 of the lever 49 will be moved upwardly and, by engagement with the lug 55, will impart upward movement to the end of the lever 49 which carries the toothed segment. The toothed segment will, by engagement with the pins of the balance wheel 51, partially rotate said balance wheel and at the same time the pallet 48 carried by the opposite arm of the lever 49 will enter between two of the pins of the pseudoescape wheel 47 and first move and then arrest the latter wheel.

The movement of the wheel 47 will, through its spindle 46, the pinion 45, gear wheel 44", pinion 44 gear wheel 43, and pinion 43 move the wheel 40. The wheel 40, through the friction collars and spring 41 will move the minute hand shaft 35 of the clock.

Meanwhile the lug 62 of the lever 49 will have been moved out of engagement I with the pin of the lever 63, thus breaking that side of the electrical circuit from the negative pole of the battery through the will move said balance wheel in the opposite direction and, through the toothed segment of the lever 49 will rock the lever 49 in the opposite direction. The engagement of the lug 55 of the lever 49 with the arm of the lever 57 will rock the latter lever to move the ar'mature 59 away from the electro-magnet 60 and atthe same time the other pallet 48 of the lever 49 will enter between two of the pins of the pseudo-escape wheel 47 and thus move said wheel a further step and then arrest said wheel and, through the gearing already described, will impart further movement to the minute hand shaft 35.

The action just described will continue so long as the pin 100 of the lever 991emains between the positive terminal of the battery and the boss 97.

During rotation of the minute hand shaft 35 movement will be imparted by the pinion 39 of the shaft 35 through the gear wheel 38 pinion 38, and the driving wheel 37 to the hour hand sleeve 34.

We claim 1. In electric clocks a movement in whicl a lever proper, so engaged with a springheld balance as to vary as the balance varies in amplitude of swing, has its swing maintained by engagement with a secondary lever carrying an armature in the field of an electro-magnet synchronized with the movement but with an inhibition depending on the amplitude of the swing, transmitting its motion to the hands of the clock by means of pallets and a pseudo-escapement.

2. In electric clocks with a balance-timed lever with a variable swing, means of mainaining the motion of the lever proper, con sisting of a secondary lever carrying an armature in the field of a fixed electro-magnet synchronized with the movement, engaged by lugs on the lever proper, substantially as described.

8. In electric clocks with a balance-timed lever maintained by engagement with an armature carried in the field of a fixed electro-magnet, means for synchronizing this magnet with the movement, consisting of a secondary lever with an extension and an insulated pin loosely including between them a lug provided on an arm of the lever proper and a fixed insulated spring engaging with this pin, to which spring is connected one terminal of the magnet, substantially as described.

4. In electric clocks with a balance-timed lever maintained by engagement with an armature carried in the field of a fixed electro-magnet synchronized with the movement, means for limiting the action of the magnet to the occasions of the amplitude of swing 1 of the lever proper failing to exceed a predetermined minimum, consisting of a secondary lever, engaged by alug on the lever proper, carrying an insulated pin engaged with an insulated spring associated with synchronizing the magnet in the movement, substantially as described.

5. In an electrically actuated clock, a lever, an electro-magnet. means actuated by said electro-magnet for oscillating said lever pseudo-escapement means for transmitting the inoveinentsbf said lever to the minute-hand shaft 10f tthe'clock, said means comprising awheel, a'plurality of circu- Ilarly arranged pins carried by said wheel,

entering between a pairor" said pinsas the other pallet is withdrawn from between aliother pairof said pins, and switch means of which said lever forms apart for closing.

one side of the electric circuit tosaid magnet when SZHCl-"IGVGPSWIHQS in one dlrection and breaking-said circuitwvhen said lever swings in the opposite direction.

In testimonywhereofwe have hereunto set our hands.

BASIL NEYVTH. OCTAVIA N EVVTHr 

